Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Sept. 15, 2020 SC H 4831 Prohibits the Release of Non-Native Species Into the Wild Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Aug. 30, 2020 CA AB 826 Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
Aug. 27, 2020 NJ S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Aug. 11, 2020 NE LB 424 Amends the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV AJR 2 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeeds Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
Aug. 2, 2020 NV AJR 1 Increases Tax on Mining Companies Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
Aug. 1, 2020 NV SJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeds Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
July 22, 2020 NY S 8247 Authorizes Online Grocery Purchases for SNAP Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1)
July 22, 2020 NY S 6502 Prohibits the Use of Glyphosate on State Property Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 15)
July 21, 2020 NY S 5612 Increases Protections of Certain Streams and Protected Waterways Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
July 21, 2020 NY S 4234 Prohibits the Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits by Retail Pet Shops Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 13)
July 13, 2020 PA HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 232 Requires the Evaluation of Environmental and Public Health Stressors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 29, 2020 NJ S 232 Requires the Evaluation of Environmental and Public Health Stressors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
June 26, 2020 VT H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 1215 Appropriates Funds to Assist Municipalities with Power Outages Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
June 26, 2020 CA SB 1175 Prohibits Importation and Possession of Wild Animals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
June 25, 2020 GA SB 211 Requires Clear Product Labeling on Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 8)
June 23, 2020 GA HB 879 Authorizes Retailers to Deliver Alcohol to Residents Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
June 18, 2020 GA HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 17, 2020 National HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
June 17, 2020 National HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
June 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1265 Establishes an Emergency Notification Service for Air Quality Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 11, 2020 CO HB 20-1265 Establishes an Emergency Notification Service for Air Quality Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
June 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1343 Requires Colorado Eggs to be Cage-Free by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1343 Requires Colorado Eggs to be Cage-Free by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
June 10, 2020 CO HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
June 9, 2020 NY S 8075 Amends Tax Law to Include Nuclear Fuel From Ceased Plants Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
June 5, 2020 IA SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
May 27, 2020 OH HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 20, 2020 LA SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
May 19, 2020 VT S 337 Establishes New Programs to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
March 17, 2020 MD HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
March 12, 2020 ME LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
March 10, 2020 WA SB 5947 Establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
March 10, 2020 WY HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
March 10, 2020 WY HB 159 Requires Payment of Ad Valorem Tax on Mineral Production Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
March 10, 2020 WY HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
March 9, 2020 WA SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
March 7, 2020 WV HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 5, 2020 NH SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
March 5, 2020 WA HB 2311 Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/15 H 4831 Prohibits the Release of Non-Native Species Into the Wild Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
9/09 HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
9/09 HB 2025 Requires Legislative Authorization Before Entering a State or Regional Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Program Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
8/30 AB 826 Establishes a Disaster Food Assistance Program Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
8/27 A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
8/27 A 3367 Requires Installment of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Interest Communities Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 2)
8/27 S 2607 Requires Municipal Master Plans to Factor in Climate Change Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
8/11 LB 424 Amends the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 12)
8/02 AJR 2 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeeds Resolution Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
8/02 AJR 1 Increases Tax on Mining Companies Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
8/01 SJR 1 Amends the State Constitution to Increase Taxes on Mining Proceeds Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (13 - 8)
7/22 S 8247 Authorizes Online Grocery Purchases for SNAP Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (59 - 1)
7/22 S 6502 Prohibits the Use of Glyphosate on State Property Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 15)
7/21 S 5612 Increases Protections of Certain Streams and Protected Waterways Bill Passed - Senate (43 - 17)
7/21 S 4234 Prohibits the Sale of Dogs, Cats, and Rabbits by Retail Pet Shops Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 13)
7/13 HB 732 Establishes Tax Credit for Companies that Invest and Create Jobs Building Petrochemical or Fertilizer Plants using Dry Natural Gas Produced in Pennsylvania Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
6/29 S 232 Requires the Evaluation of Environmental and Public Health Stressors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/29 S 232 Requires the Evaluation of Environmental and Public Health Stressors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
6/26 H 688 Establishes the Global Warming Solutions Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 5)
6/26 SB 1215 Appropriates Funds to Assist Municipalities with Power Outages Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 8)
6/26 SB 1175 Prohibits Importation and Possession of Wild Animals Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
6/25 SB 211 Requires Clear Product Labeling on Plant-Based Meat Alternatives Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 8)
6/23 HB 879 Authorizes Retailers to Deliver Alcohol to Residents Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 9)
6/18 HB 545 Reduces Statute of Limitations for Certain Nuisance Lawsuits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/17 HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
6/17 HR 1957 Great American Outdoors Act Bill Passed - Senate (73 - 25)
6/11 HB 20-1265 Establishes an Emergency Notification Service for Air Quality Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/11 HB 20-1265 Establishes an Emergency Notification Service for Air Quality Incidents Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
6/10 HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/10 HB 20-1343 Requires Colorado Eggs to be Cage-Free by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/10 HB 20-1343 Requires Colorado Eggs to be Cage-Free by 2025 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
6/10 HB 20-1143 Increases Maximum Fines for Air and Water Quality Violations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
6/09 S 8075 Amends Tax Law to Include Nuclear Fuel From Ceased Plants Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 17)
6/05 SF 2413 Increases Penalties for Trespassing on Animal Food Operations Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 11)
5/27 HB 242 Prohibits Local Government from Enacting Fees on Plastic Bags in Stores Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/20 SB 440 Limits Environmental Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas Companies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
5/19 S 337 Establishes New Programs to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
4/22 SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
3/17 HB 732 Increases Tobacco Tax and Establishes Vaping Tax Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 16)
3/12 LD 1894 Increases Purchases of Electric School Buses Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
3/10 SB 5947 Establishes the Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 6)
3/10 HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
3/10 HB 159 Requires Payment of Ad Valorem Tax on Mineral Production Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
3/10 HB 200 Establishes Low-Carbon Energy Standards and Subsidizes Carbon Capture Projects Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 10)
3/09 SB 5323 Establishes Standards for the Use of Plastic Bags at Retail Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 15)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
3/07 HB 4615 Increases Penalties for Critical Infrastructure Protesting Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/05 SB 159 Increases Net Metering Capacity for Customer-Generators Veto Override Passed - Senate (17 - 7)
3/05 HB 2311 Requires State Greenhouse Gas Emissions be Reduced to Zero by 2050 Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)

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